Clinical pearls are best defined as small bits of free standing, clinically relevant information based on experience or observation. They are part of the vast domain of experience-based medicine, and can be helpful in dealing with clinical problems for which controlled data do not exist. We offer this section as relevant information across professionals working with older adults.

Listen to how you feel.

Feelings are a terrible thing to waste.

Look at how you’re thinking.

Start low and go slow when prescribing and monitoring medications in older adults.

It’s about finding meaning.

The strengths of weak ties provide valuable insights.

Modulate your ego in interest of better outcomes.

Listen with your eyes and ears.

Work from a strengths perspective with your patients and clients.

Validation and recognition are essential in working with older adults.

It’s about inter-dependence not only independence.

Clinical wisdom resides not in designated individuals, but in a dedicated network.

About

The Wisconsin Geriatric Psychiatry Initiative (WGPI) is a group of concerned individuals working together to shape an infrastructure from existing resources to enhance mental health services for older adults in Wisconsin and beyond.

Collaboration

wgpi.wisc.edu is sponsored in cooperation with UW-Madison Continuing Studies Aging & Long-Term Care and made possible by funding from the State of Wisconsin, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Bureau of Prevention, Treatment & Recovery.